Smart Energy Decisions News

The U.S. Department of Energy announced Oct. 13 up to $65 million for its Connected Communities funding opportunity that would allow commercial and residential buildings to leverage the latest technology in energy-efficient building design and management.

Why is the future of the grid distributed? Customers want control over the cost of energy. They also want reliability and choice. Additionally, access to cost-efficient energy is a business necessity. On this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Doug Sansom, Director of DER Sales for NRG, discusses how these reasons combined with new lower-cost technology are the driving force behind capital spending for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). According to a Wood Mackenzie report, DER capacity will reach 387 gigawatts by 2025, propelled by $110 billion in investments such as battery storage, electric vehicle infrastructure, and grid-interactive appliance sales.

Kimberly-Clark, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Manheim will soon be receiving power from a 108 MW solar project under construction in Texas through a special agreement with the power company.

The Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN) announced Sept. 22 a 20-year contract for the management of the charging infrastructure for its 46 electric bus fleet, including a 545 kW solar canopy that will provide 25% of the total expected energy consumption.

Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas announced Oct. 14 the completion of a 461 kW rooftop solar installation at its headquarters in Wayne, N.J.

Austin Central Library announced Oct. 14 that it saved more than $100,000 in annual energy costs, in part through the implementation of energy management technology that resulted in 30% higher utilization of a 157 MWh solar array in Downtown Austin.

CyrusOne sourced 18.2% renewable energy in 2019 and is in the process of designing data centers that are more energy-efficient from day 1.

The Home Depot announced Oct. 13 that it will be procuring 75 MW of clean energy from a 284 MW solar and storage project, which could be enough electricity to power more than 150 stores nationwide.

New Jersey businesses could soon have 80% of costs covered for energy efficiency upgrades through a new program advertised by the state’s Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU).

PepsiCo released Oct. 13 an update on the allocation of its previously announced $1 billion green bond, including low-carbon fleet upgrades and a $98 million green R&D facility.